Story Behind The Song
A black man was walking on the side of a state highway in Western Kentucky. He was stopped by police, he refused to give them his name. He served 258 days in jail. He refused to give the court his name so he was held in contempt every week and he was not allowed any bond or bail, a million dollars couldn't get him out, he was just walking while black and was arrested.
Song Description
The message is to stay on the Interstate when travelling in Wesstern KY and boycott gas stations and convenient stores that located on state highways.
| Song Length |
5:18 |
Genre |
Blues - General, Unique - Unclassified |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Duet Female |
| Mood |
Disturbed, Exultant |
Subject |
Insults, Slavery |
| Similar Artists |
Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Pedestrian Requiem (Walking While Black), by Lisa A. DeRenard
copyright 2004; ASCAP, BMI
INTRO:
No parity.
No comity.
Pedestrian Requiem.
VERSE:
He was a stranger.
(The government they stop the man, the man was black, he run out of gas)
Walking down, (The Government they shake him down)
A state highway. (They no could find no identification, identification, identification)
He ran out of gas, (The Government they take him in cause the man was silent)
He asked for assistance, (Humiliation-ment de interrogation)
In this land, where they arrest a man, (WHAT!)
For walking, (IS MISSING FROM THESE FACTS)
Down the street...
(A CRIME!!!)
Like he should be ashamed...
(The Court demanded to know his name... over, over again)
Of something, but they don't know what.
(He gave no answer).
Just because... (The power tremble they find him in contempt)
He refused... (they take his photograph they feed it to the press)
To give his name... (this is who we say he is)
They thought he was litter on the side of the road.
CHORUS:
Walking while black (walking while black) on the Purchase Parkway
(Don't you believe)
Don't you believe your help is on the way? that's a (Question mark)
Walking while black (walking while black) on the Purchase Parkway
(He served the time)
Carries two hundred and fifty eight days in the county jail.
(Without Bail).
Walking while black (walking while black) on the Purchase Parkway
(Oooh, Oooh, Oooh)
I heard somebody say he had it coming,
Because he would not stay
....stay on the Interstate....
(Don't stop for gas, don't stop for gas, don't stop for gas.)
Don't get off the Interstate.
(Don't stop for gas. Don't stop! Don't stop! Not even for gas.)
OooooOOOOHHHH, OooooOOOOHHHH
OooooOOOOHHHH, OooooOOOOHHHH
Guitar Solo
WHY DON'T YOU LET THE BLACK MAN WALK
ON THE PURCHASE PARKWAY?
WHY DON'T YOU LET THE BLACK MAN WALK
ON THE PURCHASE PARKWAY?
(WHAT IS YOUR NAME???)
GO TO CHORUS (Walking While Black...)
Fade with:
I believe, I believe the man is coming (Walking while black on the Purchase Parkway).
Yeah Man, I believe he is coming (walking while black on the Purchase Parkway).
Yeah Man, I believe he is coming (walking while black on the Purchase Parkway)
I believe, I believe the man is coming